Brad Knighton

Now in his seventh MLS season and eighth professional season overall, Knighton returns to New England as a veteran keeper to strengthen, and add competition to, the Revs’ goalkeeping corps … an athletic goalkeeper who communicates well with his defense … who originally caught the eyes of the Revolution coaching staff at the team's annual tryout in early February 2007 and then impressed on the team's preseason trip to Bermuda and was offered a developmental contract … after two years as the Revs’ third-string goalkeeper, he inherited back-up duties to Matt Reis in 2009, before he was selected by the Philadelphia Union in the 2009 Expansion Draft … spent one season in Philly before playing a stellar season with the Carolina Railhawks (NASL), leading the club to a regular-season championship and Best XI honors … followed former Carolina coach Martin Rennie to Vancouver upon his hire and played two seasons with Whitecaps FC … was coached by former Revs goalkeeper Aidan Heaney (1996-97) at UNC-Wilmington … Twitter account: @bbknighton.

2013: Split time in goal with two other keepers in Vancouver, but still made a career-high 11 starts and played a career-high 990 minutes. Went 6-3-2 on the season, posting the most wins among the Whitecaps’ three keepers. His six wins marked his single-season best. Also recorded two assists on the season. Earned two shutouts on the season: D.C. (June 29) and Seattle (July 6). In the victory over the Sounders on July 6, he recorded the first assist of his MLS career on Darren Mattocks' goal. Also matched his single-game high of seven saves (twice in 2009) against Seattle in that match. Picked up his second career assist in the very next game, on Camilo’s first goal against Chicago (July 14). All of his 11 starts came successively from May 18 to July 27. Won three straight games mid-summer: June 15 vs. New England, June 19 vs. Chivas USA and June 29 at D.C. Made four or more saves in five of his 11 starts. Saw his option was declined by Vancouver at the end of the season and was available in the Re-Entry Process, but he opted out of the process to facilitate a trade to the Revolution on Dec. 11, in exchange for a conditional 2015 SuperDraft selection.

2012: Signed by the Whitecaps on Jan. 17, 2012, following head coach Martin Rennie to Vancouver from the NASL Carolina Railhawks. Made 10 appearances, including eight starts. Played 782 minutes while going 3-3-3 on the season. Posted an 0.81 goals against average, allowing seven goals on 36 shots. Earned a win in his Whitecaps FC debut – a 42nd minute substitute appearance at Chivas USA (March 17) when he saved both shots he faced in the 1-0 win. Also posted wins against Real Salt Lake (Aug. 11) and against Chivas USA (Oct. 3). Had a season-high six saves at LA (Sept. 1). Posted back-to-back shutouts against Seattle (Sept. 29) and Chivas USA (Oct. 3). Also closed the team with a 0-0 shutouts at RSL (Oct. 27). Started the team’s MLS Cup Play-In game at LA (Nov. 1), making five saves in the 2-1 loss and surrendering a game-winning Landon Donovan penalty kick in the 73rd minute.

2011: After being part of the Union’s inaugural MLS squad, was waived by Philadelphia on Jan. 25. Signed with his adopted hometown Carolina Railhawks for the 2011 season. Started all 28 matches and helped lead the Railhawks to the regular-season NASL championship. Garnered NASL Best XI honors after going 17-8-3 on the season and playing every minute of the season (2,730). Posted eight shutouts. Led the Railhawks to the NASL Playoffs, but the team fell to Minnesota United FC in the two-game, aggregate goal series.

2010: Made eight appearances, going 3-3-1 on the season. Posted a 1.10 goals against average, allowing eight goals on 33 shots for the expansion club. Debuted for Philly on Aug. 8 at Dallas, coming on as a 58th-minute substitute. Started seven straight games from Sept. 11 vs. Chicago through Oct. 16 against New York. Made four or more starts in four of his eight starts. Posted two shutouts: vs. Chicago (Sept. 11 – his first career MLS shutouts) and vs. Chivas USA (Sept. 25). Also claimed 180 scoreless minutes in friendlies against Celtic FC (SCO), Manchester United (ENG), and Club Deportivo (Chivas) Guadalajara (MEX).

2009: Made six appearances – all starts – for the Revolution as he moved into the back-up goalkeeper role behind Matt Reis. Went 1-2-3 on the season, posting a 2.33 goals against average. Made 36 saves on 49 shots, allowing 14 goals. Made his MLS debut at New York (March 28), drawing the surprise start after Matt Reis was scratched in warm-ups with knee issues. Made three saves in the draw against the Red Bulls. Earned his first career win against Dallas (April 4), making a career-high nine saves in the 2-1 win at Gillette Stadium. Also drew the start in the team’s next match – a 1-1 draw at D.C. United, making seven saves. Also appeared in the Revs’ third-round U.S. Open Cup match against the Harrisburg City Islanders (a 2-1 loss in New Britain, Conn. On June 30). Selected third overall by Philadelphia in the 2009 MLS Expansion Draft after the Revs left him exposed.

2008: Did not make an appearance with the first team during the regular season, serving as the third-string keeper all season. Made four Reserve Division starts, earning one shutout and maintaining a 1.14 goals against average. Was loaned to the Portland Timbers of the United Soccer Leagues' First Division on July 2. Was recalled in mid-August when Matt Reis suffered a right adductor strain, and finished the season full-time with the Revs. Appeared in eight USL-1 games with Portland, playing 720 minutes. Had a 1.25 goals against average to go with his 1-3-4 record as the Timbers scored just five league goals in his tenure.

2007: Signed with the Revolution on March 7 after a stand-out preseason with the club after he joined the team on trial. Did not make a first-team appearance, but made six appearances for the reserve squad, including four starts. Posted a 1.40 goals against average in 450 minutes of action with the reserves. Was 2-3-0 on the season with one shutout: vs. Houston reserves (July 22). Made six saves against the Houston reserves and seven saves against the Real Salt Lake reserves (July 29). Combined with Doug Warren for the shutout against the New York Red Bulls reserves (Sept. 22). In preseason action, earned the win in the 3-1 victory over CD Olimpia, playing 90 minutes.

COLLEGE: A two-time NSCAA All-Southeast Region and All-Colonial Athletic Association selection … his collegiate head coach, Aidan Heaney, was an original member of the Revolution (1996-97) … set the school record for single-season goals against average (0.83) in his final season while posting six shutouts … finished his collegiate career ranked first in UNC-Wilmington history in shutouts (24) and GAA (1.07), and fourth in career saves (295) … started all but four of UNCW's games in his career.

PERSONAL: Married his wife, Britney, on Sept. 13, 2008 … the couple has one daughter, Olivia (2), and is expecting their second child in June … son of Wayne and Bonnie Knighton ... has one brother, Tyler … majored in exercise science at UNC-Wilmington … made many charitable visits at the BC Children’s Hospital while with the Whitecaps, and also volunteered time with Camp Goodtimes and at the Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver … attended the same Richmond high school - Mills Godwin - as former Revs teammate Adam Cristman … his favorite movies are Wedding Crashers and Step Brothers … his favorite goalkeeper is Ikar Casillas … trained with Middlesboro (EPL) during college.